San Antonio (16-20) at Memphis (16-22)
When: Friday, January 10th, 2020
Where: FedExForum,
Memphis, TN
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: FS Southeast
Opening Odds: Memphis -1/230
A couple of sub-.500 teams that are playing well lately will try and keep that momentum going when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at FedExForum. Both teams are in a battle with several others in what is sure to be a great race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. As of Thursday morning, the Spurs are holding down that No. 8 spot, leading the Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers by one game, with four more teams within four games. Memphis is aiming for their first four-game winning streak of the season and are winners of six of their last nine with one of those setbacks being an ugly 145-115 home loss to the Spurs on Dec. 23. The Spurs shot 67.4 percent from the field in that game, but the Grizzlies have been much better defensively since. Memphis has a chance to make up some ground with a six-game homestand that began with a 119-112 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday. They will only play one team with a winning record (Houston) during the stretch. The Spurs are winners of four of their last six games and are coming off impressive wins over off East-leading Milwaukee on Monday and a 129-114 victory at Boston on Wednesday. Memphis 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings with San Antonio.
Guard DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 30 points on Wednesday while knocking down 10-of-17 from the floor and is averaging 26.1 points on 64.1 percent shooting over the last nine games. DeRozan hit 11-of-15 shots two nights earlier in the win over Milwaukee and is 26-for-27 from the free throw line over the last four contests. All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge slipped to 1-of-5 from beyond the arc on Wednesday but knocked down 20-of-31 over the previous eight games. Shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV led a strong bench attack with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting – his second-highest output of the season. San Antonio will be at Toronto on Sunday.
The Grizzlies are getting the most out of their young stars, but it veteran center Jonas Valanciunas exploded for 30 points at Phoenix on Sunday. Second-year power forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. has hit multiple 3-pointers in 10 straight games – the second-longest streak in Memphis franchise history. The starting backcourt of Dillon Brooks and rookie phenom Ja Morant combined for 53 points on 23-of-38 shooting on Tuesday while Jackson chipped in 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Memphis is just 8-12 at home this season, but 10-10 ATS with covers in three of their last four at FedExForum.
Both teams are playing well, but I’m taking the Spurs based on how they dominated the Grizzlies last month and the fact that they just beat Milwaukee and Boston. San Antonio is 5-1 ATS in their past six road contests.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Friday. He is 43-33-2 (57%) on the season!
Pick: Spurs PK
Spurs are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a road favorite.
Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Spurs are 40-19-1 ATS in their last 60 Friday games.
Spurs are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games as a favorite.
Spurs are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Spurs are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Spurs are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win.
Grizzlies are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Grizzlies are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog.
Grizzlies are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
Over is 4-0 in Spurs last 4 games following a ATS win.
Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 games as a favorite.
Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Spurs last 7 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Spurs last 7 road games.
Over is 6-0 in Grizzlies last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 5-0 in Grizzlies last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 8-0 in Grizzlies last 8 home games.
Over is 7-1 in Grizzlies last 8 games following a straight up win.
Over is 11-2 in Grizzlies last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Grizzlies last 6 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Grizzlies last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Grizzlies last 6 Friday games.
Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-2 in Grizzlies last 10 games as an underdog.
Over is 8-3 in Grizzlies last 11 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 20-8 in Grizzlies last 28 games as a home underdog.
Spurs are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Memphis.
